JP2518173B2 - Data processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a data processing device, and particularly to a data processing device in a POS system or the like.

[Prior Art] Generally, in a data processing device such as an electronic cash register that handles sales data, all operation results of the device are output as a business record (journal). Since a large-capacity memory can be realized at low cost, journal data is sequentially stored in a large-capacity memory so that the journal data is collectively output instead of being output every operation. Is being considered.

In addition, a POS system is widely known in which a plurality of data processing devices of such a system are connected to each other so that they can be transmitted, and data obtained from each data processing device is collected to manage orders and purchases.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in the above-described data processing device, when the large-capacity memory overflows during data input,
A notification is made to that effect, the contents of the large-capacity memory are printed by the notification, and then the processing is cleared. However, this printing takes a long time, which causes the customer to wait. Further, when the overflow is ignored and the input is continued, the input data is lost and the manageability of the sales data deteriorates.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to use any one of a plurality of other data processing devices as a substitute for its own data processing device, if necessary.

[Means for Solving the Problems] Means of the present invention are as follows.

In a data processing device connected to a plurality of other data processing devices so that data can be transmitted to each other, the input means inputs data.

The selection means selects a data processing device capable of storing the data input by the input means from the plurality of other data processing devices.

The transfer control means associates the data input by the input means with identification information unique to its own data processing device based on a predetermined transfer command, and transfers the data to the data processing device selected by the selecting means. Remember.

The return control means outputs a return request to the data processing device selected by the selecting means on the basis of a predetermined return command, and among the various data stored in the data processing device selected by the selecting means, The data stored in association with the identification information is returned to its own data processing device.

[Operation of Means for Solving the Problem] The operation of the means of the present invention is as follows.

In a data processing device connected to a plurality of other data processing devices so that data can be transmitted to each other, the selection means is a data processing device capable of storing the data input by the input means from the plurality of other data processing devices. When selected by, the data input by the input means based on a predetermined transfer command is associated with the identification information unique to its own data processing apparatus, and transfer control is performed to the data processing apparatus selected by the selecting means. Means for transferring and storing, and based on a predetermined return command, the return controlling means outputs a return request to the data processing device selected by the selecting means, and stores in the data processing device selected by the selecting means. Of the various data stored, the data stored in association with the identification information is returned to its own data processing device.

Therefore, one of the plurality of other data processing devices can be selected to store its own data, and
The own data stored in another data processing device can be automatically returned.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Structure FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and this embodiment is an example applied to a POS system. This POS system is one master-side electronic cash register that functions as a master side (hereinafter simply referred to as master).
M and a plurality of slave-side electronic cash registers (hereinafter, simply referred to as slaves) SL _n functioning as slaves are connected by an inline L so that data can be transmitted to each other. Then, the master M gives a unit price, a character (display pattern), etc. in response to an inquiry from the slave SL _n .

The components of the master M and the slave SL _n are basically the same, and each of them processes various sales data with the CPU 1 as a core. Therefore, the CPU 1 is connected to the key input unit 2, the clock circuit 3, the RAM 4, the printing unit 5, the display unit 6, the drawer 7, the transmission unit 8, and the bar code reader 9. Then, the CPU 1 processes the data input from the key input unit 2 and the barcode reader 9 according to various programs stored in advance in a ROM (not shown), stores the processing result in the RAM 4, and causes the printing unit 5 to perform the processing. It controls operations such as printing and displaying on the display unit 6. Further, the CPU 1 exchanges data required for data processing with another device via the transmission unit 8 while waiting. The drawer 7 is for storing the money and change obtained from the sale of the product, and under the control of the CPU 1 by the device of a predetermined key of the key input unit 2,
Be released.

The RAM 4 of the master M and the slave SL _n has a key input section 2
And a memory (hereinafter referred to as a journal memory) m1 for sequentially storing the data input from the barcode reader 9 and a remaining capacity memory m2 for mutually storing the remaining capacity of the journal memory m1 of each device. As data is sequentially stored in the journal memory m1,
Naturally, the remaining capacity of the journal memory m1 decreases, but this remaining capacity is sequentially calculated by the CPU 1 and stored in the remaining capacity memory m2, and is also exchanged with all other devices. . When the own journal memory m1 overflows, the data input from the key input unit 2 and the barcode reader 9 is stored in the journal memory m1 of another device having the largest remaining capacity. That is,
After printing the contents of the journal memory m1, the own journal memory m1 is not erased and stored in the erased own journal memory m1. Therefore, even if the data overflows, the data input operation can be continued without causing data loss. When storing the data in the journal memory m1, the time measured by the clock circuit 3 is automatically added under the control of the CPU 1 as needed. The size of the remaining capacity of the journal memory m1 of each device is determined by referring to its own remaining capacity memory m2. The data stored in the journal memory m1 of another device is returned to the device when the contents of the journal memory m1 of the device that is the input source of the data is settled, edited in the input order, and output.

Further, the RAM 4 of the master M is a PL consisting of areas for storing the product code of each product, the character of the product indicated by the product code, the unit price, and the total sales quantity of the product.
It has a U memory m3, and this character and unit price are transmitted to the slave SL _n in response to an inquiry as described above. The RAM 4 of the slave SL _n is the key input unit 2 of its own.
Also, it has a product-specific memory m4 for storing the total number of sales for each product input from the barcode reader 9.

The key input unit 2 is a J / M settlement key 2a for instructing settlement of the journal memory m1, a PLU settlement key 2b for instructing settlement of the PLU memory m3 or the product memory m4, setting, registration, power OFF,
Mode changeover switch 2c for switching each mode of inspection and settlement,
It has a replacement key 2d for inputting a product code and the like, and a function key 2e for inputting function information such as a person-in-charge code and repeat registration. In addition, the adjustment of the journal memory m1, that is, the journal printing, is performed by the mode selection switch.
This is executed by setting the settlement mode by operating 2c and operating the J / M settlement key 2a.

Operation Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

<Operation of Slave SL _{n in} Registration Mode> First, the operation of the slave SL _n will be described with reference to FIG. When the power is turned on, the CPU 1 of the slave SL _n first determines whether it is in the registration mode according to a predetermined program (step S1).

As a result, in the case of the registration mode, the process proceeds to step S2, and it is further determined whether or not the product code (mainly input by the barcode reader 9) is input. If the product code is input, the product-based memory m4 is searched based on the input product code (step S
3), the number of corresponding products is incremented by 1 (step S4).
Next, the inputted product code and the machine number of its own device are transmitted to the master M, and the unit price and the character are inquired (step S5). Then, waiting for the unit price and character to be transmitted from the master M (step S6), the transmitted unit price and character and the inputted product code are printed on the printing section 5 by receipt and displayed on the display section 6. (Step S7), the process proceeds to step S14. In step S2, if there is no product code input, it is determined whether or not there is data transmission from another device (steps S8 and S9: this will be described later), and if there is no data transmission from another device. In step S10, the presence / absence of a key input related to the journal data to be stored in the journal memory m1 such as the cash / deposit key from the key input unit 2 of its own is determined. As a result, if there is no key input related to the journal data, it is further determined whether or not there is another input such as a person in charge code (step
S11), if there is another input, the process corresponding to that input is performed (step S12). If the result of determination in step S10 is that there is a key input related to journal data, processing corresponding to that key, for example, if it is a cash / deposit key, total calculation in one transaction is performed (step S13), and the process proceeds to step S14. .

In this step S14, by referring to the remaining capacity memory m2, it is judged whether or not there is room to store the data for one registration in its own journal memory m1. As a result, if there is no room for data storage, the remaining capacity memory m2 is referred to again, and the journal memory m1 of which device has the largest remaining capacity at that time is known (step S15). Then, data for one registration (product code, unit price, own machine number.
Etc.) are transmitted (step S16). What should be noted here is that, as is clear from the processing of steps S1 to S10,
Each time data is input, it is judged whether or not there is room for one registration in its own journal memory m1, and if there is no room, the input data etc. will be sent to another device with the maximum remaining capacity at that time. Since it is being transmitted, each data in one transaction can be transmitted across a plurality of other devices and stored in the journal memory m1 of the device of the transmission destination. How to deal with this situation will be described later. As a result of the determination in step S14, if there is room for one registration in the journal memory m1 of itself, the data for one registration (product code, unit price,
The code indicating the type of the operation key, the calculation result, etc.) are stored in the journal memory m1 of its own (step S17). At this time, when the data for one registration is the first registration data in one transaction, the machine number and the time at that time are automatically stored by the CPU 1 prior to the registration. Then, the remaining capacity of its own journal memory m1 is calculated, the result is stored in its own remaining capacity memory m2, and it is transmitted to all other devices (step S18).

If the product code is not input as a result of the determination in step S2, the process proceeds to step S8, and it is determined whether or not the data (signal) for instructing the settlement of the journal memory m2 of another device is input. In other words, own journal memory m1
It is determined whether or not there is a return request for the journal data of the other device stored in. As a result, when there is a request for return, if there is journal data stored, it is returned to the deposit requester (step S19). Then, the returned journal data in the journal memory m1 is cleared (step S20). This clearing process increases the remaining capacity of the journal memory m1, so the corresponding process is performed in step S18.

If the result of determination in step S8 is that there is no return request from another device, then in step S9 it is determined whether or not there is transmission of journal data from another device. In other words, it is determined whether or not there is a request for depositing journal data from another device. As a result, if there is a deposit request, the journal data is stored in its own journal memory m1 together with the time at that time (step S21). Since this storage process reduces the remaining capacity of the journal memory m1, the process corresponding to it is performed in step S18.

In this way, when the journal memory m1 of its own is not available, it is decided to deposit the input journal data in another device.Therefore, in order to secure the storage location of the journal data, the contents of its own journal memory m1 After outputting, it is not necessary to clear, and data input can be continuously executed without interruption.

<Operation of Slave SL _{n in} Settlement Mode> If the result of determination in step S1 is not registration mode, the process proceeds to step S22 to determine whether it is in settlement mode, and if it is the settlement mode, step S23. Check whether or not the key operation signal of the J / M adjustment key 2a is input.If the key operation signal of the J / M adjustment key 2a is input, the own journal data is deleted from the own journal memory m1. The registered data is read (step S24). Then, the read journal data is printed by the printing unit 5 (step S25), and in step S26, it is determined whether or not all of the journal data of its own in the journal memory 1m is printed.
If not all printed, step to print all
Return to S24. When printing of all the journal data of its own in the journal memory m1 of its own is completed, the journal data after printing is cleared (step S2
7). This clearing is performed only for the journal data that has been printed, so if the journal data of another device is stored in its own journal memory m1, the journal data of the other device will be stored in its own journal memory m1. It remains stored inside (in the depositee's journal memory m1).

Next, proceeding to step S28, it is determined by referring to the content of the remaining capacity memory m2 whether or not its own journal memory m1 before clearing has room for one registration.
As a result of the determination, if there is no room for one registration, there is a possibility that the journal data deposited in the journal memory m1 of the other device exists, so to have the deposited journal data returned, Data for instructing settlement of its own machine No. of its own journal memory m1 is sequentially transmitted to all other devices, and a request to return the deposited journal data is made (step S29). Then, as soon as the journal data deposited from all the devices are returned, they are edited on the journal memory m1 in the order of deposit time (steps S30 and S31), and the process returns to step S24. Although the remaining capacity of the journal memory m1 is reduced by the editing process in step S31, the remaining capacity at this time is stored in a predetermined buffer (step omitted). Returning to step S24, the edited journal data is sequentially read from the journal memory m1 one by one for each registration, and all the journals are printed (steps S24 to 26 in the second cycle).

In this way, when adjusting the journal memory m1 of its own, if there is journal data deposited in the journal memory m1 of another device, collect them after depositing the journal memory m1 of its own, and deposit it. By editing and printing in the order of time, even if distributed and stored in the journal memory m1 of other device, journal printing can be performed as if all print contents were stored in its own journal memory m1. You can

When all the journal data deposited in another device is printed, the printed journal data in the journal memory m1 is cleared in step S27 of the second cycle, and the buffer is also buffered in step S28 of the second cycle. With reference to, it is determined whether or not the remaining capacity of the journal memory m1 before clearing leaves room for one registration. At this time, the buffer shows the remaining capacity based on the total sum of the journal data deposited in other devices (including the journal data of other devices, if any). Is generally smaller than the capacity of its own journal memory m1, so one registration is left.
Therefore, if there is room for one registration, the process proceeds to step S32, the remaining capacity of the journal memory m1 is calculated, and the result is stored in its own remaining capacity memory m2 in correspondence with its own machine number. Send to all devices. It goes without saying that the remaining capacity at this time is based on the journal data stored from another device.

If the result of determination in step S22 is not the payment mode, it is determined whether or not it is another mode (step S33),
If it is another mode, processing in that mode is performed (step S34). Then, the processes of steps S14 to S18 are performed in order to store the effect of the process in the journal memory m1. Also, as a result of the judgment in step S23, J / M settlement key 2a
If it is not the operation of, PLU memory m3 or product memory m
It is determined whether or not the operation is the operation of the PLU payment key 2b for instructing the payment of 4 (step S35), and if it is the operation of the PLU payment key 2b, the PLU memory m3 or the product-specific memory m4 is processed for payment ( Step S36).

<Operation of Master M> Also in the master M, when the journal memory m1 of its own, which is a feature of the present invention, does not have a margin, the journal data is temporarily deposited in another journal memory m1 having the greatest margin, and at the time of settlement. The point to get it returned is exactly the same as the slave SL _n . So, here, slave S
Only the operation different from L _n will be described with reference to FIG. As the input source of the product code input to the master M, the key input unit 2 or the bar code reader 9 of the master M itself,
There are two, slave SL _n . Therefore, in step M4, the master M determines whether or not the input product code is from the slave SL _n , that is, whether or not it is based on an inquiry about the unit price or the like (second). Figure steps
Compatible with S5). As a result, when the inquiry is about the unit price or the like, the unit price and the character of the product corresponding to the product code are transmitted to the slave SL _n of the inquiry source (step M5:
(Corresponding to step S6 in FIG. 2), the process returns to step M1. That is, the inquiry input is not stored in the journal memory m1. When it is not based on the unit price inquiry, that is, when the input is from the master M itself, the number corresponding to the product code in the PLU memory m3 is incremented by 1 (step M6). next,
The unit price and character corresponding to the product code acquired from the PLU memory m3 and the input product code are printed on the printing unit 5 and displayed on the display unit 6 (step M17). And
When the product code is input from the master itself, the processes in and after step M14 are performed to store the product code, unit price, etc. in the journal memory m1. The above is the difference between the operation of the master M and the slave SL _n . Incidentally, in FIG. 3, in the names of the steps other than the above-mentioned steps M4 to M7, the steps having the same numbers carry out the same processing as in FIG. However, the search target in step M3 is not the product-specific memory m4 but the PLU memory m3.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment,
For example, each device does not mutually store the remaining capacity of the journal memory m1 of all devices, but each device stores only the remaining capacity of its own journal memory m1, and the journal memory m1 of its own is full. It is also possible to inquire the remaining capacity of the journal memory m1 of another device at that point in time and deposit the journal data in the journal memory m1 of the device having the most margin.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, any one of a plurality of other data processing devices can be selected as needed and used as a substitute for its own data processing device to store input data. . Moreover, among the various data stored in the other data processing device, the stored own data can be returned to the own data processing device without error from the other data processing device. Furthermore, since you can automatically send back your own data stored in another data processing device just by requesting a return, you can automatically obtain your own data without the operator looking for it. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the operation of FIG. 1 ... CPU, 4 ... RAM, 5 ... Printing section, M ... Master,
SL _n …… Slave, m1 …… Journal memory, m2 …… Remaining capacity memory, 2a …… J / M settlement key.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A data processing device connected to a plurality of other data processing devices so that data can be transmitted mutually, and an input means for inputting data, and the input means from among the plurality of other data processing devices. Selecting means for selecting a data processing device capable of storing the input data; and the data input by the input means based on a predetermined transfer command, in association with identification information unique to its own data processing device, Transfer control means for transferring and storing to the data processing device selected by the selecting means, and outputting a return request to the selected data processing device by the selecting means based on a predetermined return command, and selecting by the selecting means And a return control means for returning the data stored in association with the identification information among the various data stored in the data processing device to the own data processing device. A data processing device comprising: